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73AV8R · 09-21-2016, 08:56 PM

Hello from Texas! Looking at getting into RVing and seriously considering an Airstream. We looked at 19, 20 and 23' models today....all flying clouds. Loved all of them! I would be traveling with the wife, an 11-yr old and 2 small dogs.
We have a 2013 Toyota Tundra with the 4.6L V8 tow package. I think this would be adequate for up to a 23' Airstream.

Just wanted to say hi and any suggestions would be more than welcome. Thanks y'all.

rmkrum · 09-21-2016, 09:11 PM

Heck, I pull a 23' international with a short bed crew cab Tacoma 4x4. The Tundra should have no issues...

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Paul Zmann · 09-21-2016, 09:11 PM

Howdy AV8R73, from a wannabe in Dallas.

Alluminati · 09-22-2016, 12:45 AM

Welcome aboard!

There are significant differences in features and function as size of trailer goes up. More than just more places to sit, there are different size water tanks, refrigerators, closets, LP tanks, etc.

Beware, two-foot-itis happens! A 4' fridge seems big enough until it's full.

Your truck is more than capable to pull any of the trailers you are interested in.

Dalwyn · 09-22-2016, 05:36 AM

Welcome to the forums.

**moosetags** · 09-22-2016, 07:45 AM

Welcome to the Forums, We're glad to have you with us.

Best of luck in your quest for the perfect Airstream. Do in-depth research of the models that you are interested in. When you can, go to an Airstream dealer and sit in the different models to get a realistic feel for how they would work for your situation. A million pictures can not give a realistic feel.

Brian

73AV8R · 09-22-2016, 10:57 AM

Thanks guys! I have found Patrick Botticelli's videos on You Tube to be very helpful. Learned more watching his videos than I did at the dealer yesterday!
Leaning toward the 20' Flying Cloud at this point. We wouldn't be doing this until the beginning of 2017 so plenty of time for research which is a lot of fun. Looking forward to all your input!

Starstream · 09-22-2016, 11:32 AM

Welcome y'all. Just down the road from you in the Houston area. While you're searching for your perfect trailer, make sure you're also shopping for storage, if you live in a deed-restricted subdivision. If they have a rule about RVs being parked in your neighborhood, they aren't going to care what brand it is. Storage is a hot commodity down here, especially covered. When you're getting close to buying, you'll want your storage already arranged.

Have fun with your hunt!

Silverbee · 09-22-2016, 11:35 AM

Hi,
Glad you are considering an Airstream and joined this great group of people.
Our first Airstream was a 20' Safari SE, 75th Anniversary Edition. We kept it a number of years and didn't get to use it as much as we wanted as we were both still working, but enjoyed it while we had it.
We traded it for a 25' and now have a 28'.

A couple of things to consider about a 20'. It is a single axle so if a tire goes flat or you have a blowout you are more likely to have a serious problem. Starting at 23' you go to a double axle. Also if you were to need to change a tire, the 20' requires that you get a jack out and jack it up. With 23' and up you can use a product like Trailer Aid. This is a fast, safe and easy way to change a trailer tire on a tandem wheeled trailer without jacking it up.

The only real place to watch TV is to sit on the bed. We used a wedge-shaped pillow to make this more comfortable. This works okay, but something to think about.

On the plus side the 20' has a great kitchen layout and a double sink.

73AV8R · 09-22-2016, 01:53 PM

Yup storage is an issue in Fort Worth for sure. Probably run us $100/mo.

I hear ya re: single axle. Comes down to price really. The dealer has a 2016 23' asking $59k. We're not ready to buy at this point but it seemed like a good price (for an AS

)

Starstream · 09-22-2016, 04:21 PM

Covered storage here costs us around $145 a month plus taxes, no electricity. But we have one of the longer trailers. Technically, we're in (2) 20 ft. spaces. There can be a lot of variance in price between facilitities. The first one we had our trailer at charged almost $200 for covered storage.

73AV8R · 09-22-2016, 06:52 PM

Yeah we had this dream a year ago, started adding up all the costs and decided to shelve the plan for a while. Then we thought about a second home, and now we're back to the "Airstream Dream" baby! It's something we've wanted to do for a long time and YOLO so we're doing it!

NotStock · 09-22-2016, 06:54 PM

Welcome to the group from another newbie

Starstream · 09-22-2016, 07:40 PM

Don't blame you. If you're going to get a second home, might as well be one that moves. We wanted an RV for a variety of reasons, but the biggest one was because we missed the stars. (Used to live in small-town upper mid-west.) After looking at all kinds of SOBs, we realized there was a soft-spot for AS. But we have a hard-core project gene. Because my husband is a disabled vet, we were very careful to get a trailer that didn't need to be completely dismantled to be fixed.

73AV8R · 09-22-2016, 07:56 PM

Agreed. So much to see and so little time! Forgive my newbieness but what's SOB? Aside from the obvious I mean!

We're from Oklahoma and miss the stars and quiet as well. I'm not much of a handy man myself so we're planning on a new AS. Thanks again you guys make us feel welcome and we don't even have a trailer yet!

Starstream · 09-23-2016, 03:35 PM

SOB is an acronym for other RVs on the market. Standard ? Box. For some reason that middle word escapes me right now. Turned 48 yesterday. I'm blaming "old timers".